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Sooo, I got me some pots ...

Discussion in 'Tele-Technical' started by Obsessed, Jan 21, 2021.

  1. Jan 21, 2021 #1
    Obsessed

    Obsessed Telefied Silver Supporter

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    Short story is I have two brand new 3/8" diameter short solid shaft 500k CTS pots for another project that won't fit, sooo, even though I have updated pots in a few of my guitars, I have never updated my MIM strat or tele. Frankly over all of these years on TDPRI, I have not been paying attention to what pots are even in these two guitars. Bonus it that I updated to the Broadcaster/TT in my FSR reverse control tele for that semi "Baja" experience and '69 CS set in my strat. Do I have a use for these pots in either of these guitars or do I toss these into the wood stove for extra punch on a cold night?
     
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  2. Jan 21, 2021 #2
    BryMelvin

    BryMelvin Friend of Leo's

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    500 pots will make it a bit tinny with single coils. Think OEm squier bullet or some affinities.pots.They'll work but probably not an improvement. Save them for a humbucker guitar.
     
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  3. Jan 22, 2021 #3
    Geo

    Geo Poster Extraordinaire

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    You probably could use for a volume control but not too good for a tone control
    with single coil pickups. Seems you could also add a resistor to reduce the 500k.
    Someone here would know how to do that.
     
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  4. Jan 22, 2021 #4
    Boreas

    Boreas Friend of Leo's Silver Supporter

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    Give one a try in a volume position. Think of the courage and pioneering spirit it takes to stray a few ohms from Leo's dictum. You will learn what a tone pot can do to tame excessive high end that doesn't fit with your mix - with a simple twist of the fingers - and perhaps learn to appreciate different tapers as well. Worst case scenario is you won't like it and have to remove it and get some more soldering practice.
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2021
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  5. Jan 22, 2021 #5
    Obsessed

    Obsessed Telefied Silver Supporter

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    Yeah, they are audio tapered like the ones I put in my Epi Sheraton years ago. Seems like not the right thing for single coils, but I thought I'd ask. Thanks.
     
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  6. Jan 22, 2021 #6
    Obsessed

    Obsessed Telefied Silver Supporter

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    I was afraid of that. Thanks.
     
  7. Jan 22, 2021 #7
    Obsessed

    Obsessed Telefied Silver Supporter

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    Yup, seems to be the prevailing winds here. Thanks.
     
  8. Jan 22, 2021 #8
    medownsouth

    medownsouth Tele-Holic Gold Supporter

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    I hv a few spare a250k pots laying around, dm me a mailing addy
     
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  9. Jan 22, 2021 #9
    Boreas

    Boreas Friend of Leo's Silver Supporter

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    I have audio taper 500k pots in several single-coil guitars. Generally love them - especially on dark or muddy single-coils. But obviously it depends on the nature of the single-coil you are using. If it is too bright with a 250k, a 500k will only add to the brightness. One guitar I took the 500k pot back out and went with a treble bleed circuit instead. I also use 1M pots with many humbuckers.
     
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  10. Jan 22, 2021 #10
    moosie

    moosie Doctor of Teleocity Silver Supporter

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    If you've ever considered a no-load tone pot, or a bypass switch, both to get a little extra brightness and presence... swapping a 250k for a 500k is along those lines.

    If you've ever marveled at the clean, clear tone of a Thinline Tele.... they typically had at least one 1Meg pot.

    If you ever decide to toss a humbucker in the neck of a Tele, use the 500k pot, plus a 470k resistor, in a simple scheme to get vol pot resistance tailored to the active pickup.


    Besides, throwing them out just about guarantees you'll need one, eventually.
     
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  11. Jan 22, 2021 #11
    Obsessed

    Obsessed Telefied Silver Supporter

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    Wow, thank you for such a generous offer, but I ordered some mini 500k pots late last night for the project that I am currently working on. I do appreciate the gesture though.
     
  12. Jan 22, 2021 #12
    medownsouth

    medownsouth Tele-Holic Gold Supporter

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    My pleasure
     
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  13. Jan 22, 2021 #13
    kennl

    kennl Tele-Afflicted

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    I got a pair of Emerson 500k pots for a Nashville build, and they were too large for the 3-knob layout. I used them on another parts caster with Joe Barden pickups and HoOp wiring. Common thought is that 500k would not work in that application, but it's great.
     
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